Programmable electrical stimulation of the foot muscles

Abstract

System, device and method for providing neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) to muscles of foot. The device includes an electrical signal generator for producing a wave pattern of variable frequency, duration, intensity, ramp time and on-off cycle. Device further includes surface electrodes for being positioned over the foot muscles or around ankles and attached to signal generator. Signal generator is programmed to stimulate the foot muscles and nerves. Location of the electrodes and the programming are adjusted to reduce pooling of the blood in the soleal veins of the calf and enhance venous blood flow to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT), to enhance venous blood flow for the post-thrombotic syndrome patient, to expedite wound healing, to reduce neuropathic pain of the foot and ankle, chronic musculoskeletal pain of the ankle and foot, and acute post-operative foot and ankle pain, and to prevent muscular atrophy of the foot muscles.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1-Field of the InventionThe present invention pertains generally to the field of the electrical stimulation of muscles for prevention of thrombosis and for pain management and, more particularly, to electrical stimulation of muscles of the foot.2-Description of Related ArtElectrical stimulation of muscles and nerves by applying electrodes over the skin is currently used for enhancing blood circulation and reducing blood clots and for scrambling the pain signal that reach the brain in order to manage pain.Patients undergoing surgery, anesthesia and extended periods of bed rest or other inactivity are often susceptible to a condition known as deep vein thrombosis, or DVT. DVT is a clotting of venous blood in the lower extremities or pelvis. This clotting occurs due to the absence of muscular activity required to pump the venous blood in the lower extremities, local vascular injury or a hypercoaguble state. The condition can be life-threatening if a blood clo...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

Aspects of the present invention provide systems, devices and methods for providing neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) to muscles of the foot. One aspect provides a single channel stimulator device that includes an electrical signal generator for producing a wave pattern of variable frequency, duration, intensity, ramp time and on-off cycle. The stimulator device further includes surface electrodes for being positioned over the foot muscles and attached to the signal generator. The signal generator is programmed to stimulate the foot muscles. The programming is adjusted to reduce pooling of the blood in the soleal veins of the calf and enhance venous blood flow to prevent DVT, to enhance venous blood flow for the post-thrombotic syndrome patient, to expedite wound healing, to reduce neuropathic pain of the foot and ankle, chronic musculoskeletal pain of the ankle and foot, and acute post-operative foot and ankle pain, and to prevent muscular atrophy of the foot muscles.

In some aspects of the present invention, the electrodes are arranged on the heel and the mid-section or arch of the foot. This arrangement is appropriate for systems, devices and methods of the present invention that contribute to (1) enhanced venous blood flow to prevent DVT, (2) enhanced venous blood flow for the post-thrombotic syndrome patient and (3) prevention of muscular atrophy of the foot muscles.

Aspects of the present invention further provide systems, devices and methods that contribute to (1) enhanced wound healing, (2) reduction of the neuropathic pain of the foot and ankle, (4) reduction of the chronic musculoskeletal pain of the ankle and foot, and (5) reduction of the acute post-operative foot and ankle pain. These aspects of the present invention provide pain relief by generating a tapping feeling that results from intermittent electrical stimulation of the muscle. For reduction of neuropathic pain, chronic musculoskeletal pain, acute post-op pain, and wound healing, the electrodes are placed at the level of the main ankle bones called the medial malleolus and the lateral malleolus. For both electrodes, the connection site would be just below the malleolus. For other indications, the electrodes are located on the sole of the foot.

Aspects of the present invention provide a method for enhancing venous blood flow to prevent deep vein thrombosis, enhancing venous blood flow for post-thrombotic syndrome patients, and preventing muscular atrophy of foot muscles. The method includes connecting electrodes to a foot of the patient, and applying electrical current of a programmable waveform, intensity, frequency and duration to the foot muscles through the electrodes. A ground electrode is connected to a heel of the foot, and a positive electrode is connected to an arch of the foot.

Aspects of the present invention provide a method for enhancing wound healing, reducing neuropathic pain of the foot and ankle, reducing chronic musculoskeletal pain of the ankle and foot, and reducing acute post-operative foot and ankle pain. The method includes connecting electrodes to a foot of the patient, and applying electrical current of a programmable waveform, intensity, frequency and duration to the foot muscles through the electrodes. The electrodes are connected anteriorly to the ankle to stimulate peroneal nerve of the foot. The electrodes may be connected at two or more of just below the medial malleolus at posterior tibial nerve, at lateral malleolus at sural nerve, and at anterior ankle at anterior tibial nerve.

Problems solved by technology

The condition can be life-threatening if a blood clot migrates to the lung, resulting in pulmonary embolism (PE), or otherwise interferes with cardiovascular circulation.

More generally, venous thromboembolic disease (VTED) is a cause of significant morbidity and mortality for individuals immobilized after orthopedic surgery, due to neurologic disorders, even during prolonged travel, and a variety of other conditions.

Since 1954 it has been known that prolonged dependency stasis, a state imposed by airplane flights, automobiles trips and even attendance at the theater may bring on thrombosis.

Pneumatic compression equipment is often too cumbersome for mobile patients, or during prolonged travel.

Anticoagulation therapy carries the risk of bleeding complications and must be started several days in advance to be effective.

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